Chronicaling the lunacy of taming three acres in Tidewater Virginia, one square foot at a time!

"Gardens... should be like lovely, well-shaped girls: all curves, secret corners, unexpected deviations, seductive surprises and then still more curves. ~H.E. Bates, A Love of Flowers

Friday, May 22, 2009

What the Heck is That?!?!?

Some things make you pause, and run into the house ....to find out, "What the heck is that?"

I headed to http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ to see if I could find it...I figured it looked more like a beetle than anything else...and I was right. It is an "Eyed Elater." It was LOUD when it flew past me before landing on the fencepost a few feet from where I was sitting. It didn't seem to annoyed that I approached it to take it's picture.

(complete metamorphosis)Beneficial Stage(s): Larval stages are predatorsPrey: Larva are ferocious meat-eaters that dines on many other noxious wood-boring larvae, including those of wood-boring beetles.

Range : Eastern and central North America--widespread. South Dakota east to Quebec, south to Texas, Florida.Habitat: Deciduous/mixed forests and woodlandsSeason: Much of year in south. Most frequently seen in spring and summer.

The "click" part of there name comes from a skill they have for righting themselves if turned on their backs. With a spring loaded hinge in there back, they are able to "click" and propel themselves 4 feet in the air to escape a predator or get right side up again. (I did not try turning it upside down)

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About the Gardens

Located in Southeastern VirginiaHouse built in 1986Zone 7B or 8A (depending on who you ask)Ours since Valentine's Day 20083 acres on a rural country roadClay, clay clayI'll grow anything outsideHouseplants face certain death.

Also located on the Northern Outerbanks of North CarolinaZone 8AHouse built in 20050.19 acre less than 1/3 mile from the Atlantic OceanSAND! SAND! SAND!Houseplants face certain death here also.

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What Bird Are You?

Your Power Bird is an Eagle

You are spiritual and able to soar to great heights.
You are a true inspiration, and many people look to you for guidance.
And you are quite demanding in relationships... but you're worth it.
People know that you will become even greater than you imagine.

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"Garden writing is often very tame, a real waste when you think how opinionated, inquisitive, irreverent and lascivious gardeners themselves tend to be. Nobody talks much about the muscular limbs, dark, swollen buds, strip-tease trees and unholy beauty that have made us all slaves of the Goddess Flora." ~Ketzel Levine's talkingplants.com